Face Shield

ABSTRACT

A face shield apparatus suited for medical laboratory practices or in any other application that requires face protection is presented. The face shield apparatus contains a headband, a first shield portion, a second shield portion, and a connection element. The first shield portion is connected adjacent to the headband. The second shield portion is connected adjacent to the first shield portion, opposite to the headband through a connection element. The second shield portion is removably attached to the first shield portion through the connection element, allowing the user to use the face shield apparatus in a whole configuration or halved configuration, where the whole configuration utilizes both the first shield portion and the second shield portion while the halved configuration utilizes only the first shield portion.

The current application claims a priority to the U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 63/054,075 filed on Jul. 20, 2021.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to protection devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to convertible face masks.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There is demand for a device to protect people from unwanted particles or viral infection. Face masks have been used for centuries for many different purposes. Some only cover the wearer's eyes, while others cover the wearer's face and head. In the current Covid-19 pandemic, face coverings are recommended by the general public. The CDC recommends that members of the public use simple cloth face coverings when in public settings to slow the spread of the virus because they help prevent people who may unknowingly have the virus from transmitting it to others.

Many people use homemade face masks that primarily prevent an infected person from spreading the virus; however, homemade face masks are not very effective in preventing the wearer from contracting the virus or other airborne pathogens. Thus, wearing a face shield in addition to a face covering significantly decreases the chance of the wearer contracting Covid-19.

Currently, face shields are reserved for frontline workers and are primarily disposable and made from flimsy plastic material. Public health and infectious disease experts have proposed that using face shields in addition to or instead of face coverings may be a more effective way of preventing the spread of Covid-19.

Companies have developed masks in a variety of shapes. They are usually designed to be formed from two-dimensional sheet materials. For example, a surgical mask, which can be formed from a sheet, is a loose-fitting device designed to help block large particulate droplets, splashes, sprays, or splatter that may contain germs (viruses and bacteria). However, it is not designed to be used more than once. The shields currently available are primarily disposable. In addition, they are manufactured as one piece and are cumbersome to wear and maintain. Since they are primarily disposable, they can cause significant environmental problems. Thus, there is a need to develop a device to solve these problems.

The present invention is intended to address the problems associated with and/or otherwise improve on conventional devices through an innovative face shield device designed to provide a convenient and effective means of blocking unwanted particles that may contain germs while incorporating other problem-solving features.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a face shield apparatus suited for medical laboratory practices or in any other application that requires face protection. The face shield apparatus comprises a headband, a first shield portion, a second shield portion, and a connection element. The first shield portion is connected adjacent to the headband. The second shield portion is connected adjacent to the first shield portion, opposite to the headband through a connection element. The second shield portion is removably attached to the first shield portion through the connection element, allowing the user to use the face shield apparatus in a whole configuration or halved configuration, where the whole configuration utilizes both the first shield portion and the second shield portion while the halved configuration utilizes only the first shield portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of the present invention that shows a whole configuration.

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the present invention that shows a halve configuration.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the present invention that shows a whole configuration.

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the present invention that shows a whole configuration.

FIG. 5 is a section view of the present invention that shows a halve configuration.

FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of the present invention that shows a whole configuration.

FIG. 7 is a detail view of the present invention that shows a detent mechanism.

FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of the present invention that shows a whole configuration propped up along a user.

FIG. 9 is a section view of the present invention that shows a whole configuration.

FIG. 10 is a detail view of the present invention that shows a sealing element.

DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. The present invention is to be described in detail and is provided in a manner that establishes a thorough understanding of the present invention. There may be aspects of the present invention that may be practiced or utilized without the implementation of some features as they are described. It should be understood that some details have not been described in detail in order to not unnecessarily obscure focus of the invention. References herein to “the preferred embodiment”, “one embodiment”, “some embodiments”, or “alternative embodiments” should be considered to be illustrating aspects of the present invention that may potentially vary in some instances, and should not be considered to be limiting to the scope of the present invention as a whole.

In reference to FIGS. 1-6 and 7-9, the present invention is a face shield apparatus 1 suited for medical laboratory practices or in any other application that requires face protection. The face shield apparatus 1 comprises a headband 11, a first shield portion 12, a second shield portion 14, and a connection element 15. The first shield portion 12 is connected adjacent to the headband 11. The second shield portion 14 is connected adjacent to the first shield portion 12, opposite to the headband 11 through a connection element 15. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the face shield apparatus 1 is made out of any suitable material, such as, but not limited to nylon or acetal plastic polymers, aluminum, fiberglass, carbon fiber, or any other suitable material. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the face shield apparatus 1 may take the form of any size to fit the user. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the headband 11 may take the form of any suitable headgear that allows the user to wear the face shield apparatus 1 along their head. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first shield portion 12 may take the form of an upper face shield barrier that protects the user's eyes, forehead, and ear regions. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the second shield portion 14 may take the form of a lower face shield barrier that protects the user's mouth, nasal, chin, and cheek regions. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first shield portion 12 and the second shield portion 14 is made out of a strong transparent material such as polycarbonate but can be made out of any other suitable material. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the second shield portion 14 is removably attached to the first shield portion 12 through the connection element 15, allowing the user to use the face shield apparatus 1 in a whole configuration or halved configuration, where the whole configuration utilizes both the first shield portion 12 and the second shield portion 14 while the halved configuration utilizes only the first shield portion 12. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the connection element 15 may take the form of clips, couplers, sliders, or any other suitable connection element 15.

In reference to FIGS. 1-6 and 7-9, the headband 11 comprises a strap 111, a first mounting body 112, at least one mounting element 116, and a second mounting body 113. The second mounting body 113 comprises a first end 114 and a second end 115. The first end 114 and the second end 115 are terminally positioned opposite to each other along the second mounting body 113. The first shield portion 12 is connected adjacent to the first mounting body 112. The first mounting body 112 is connected adjacent to the second mounting body 113 through the at least one mounting element 116. The strap 111 is connected to the first end 114 and the second end 115. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the strap 111 may take the form of an elastic head strap 111 that secures along the rear portion of the user's cranium, securing the mounting body along the user's frontal cranial region. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first mounting body 112 may take the form of the forward body piece that holds the first shield portion 12 and the second shield portion 14 together. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the second mounting body 113 may take the form of the mounting piece that connects the strap 111 to the first mounting body 112. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the at least one mounting element 116 may take the form of mounting implements that allows the first mounting body 112 to connect along the second mounting body 113. The headband 11 further comprises a cushion 13, as shown in FIGS. 2-5 and 7. The cushion 13 traverses along the headband 11, opposite to the first shield portion 12. More specifically, the cushion 13 traverses from the first end 114 to the second end 115 of the second mounting body 113. The cushion 13 may take the form of a soft closed cell foam that holds the mounting body on to the forehead comfortably and to conform to the user's forehead such that it forms a seal along the forehead and the face shield apparatus 1.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the first mounting body 112 is rotatably connected adjacent to the second mounting body 113 through the at least one mounting element 116, as shown in FIG. 6. In this embodiment, the face shield apparatus 1 can rotate upwards, along the user's forehead, such that the first mounting body 112 is propped up, as shown in FIG. 8. In this embodiment, the face shield apparatus 1 further comprises a detent mechanism 16, as shown in FIGS. 6-7. The detent mechanism 16 is positioned between the first mounting body 112 and the second mounting body 113, where the detent mechanism 16 is configured to rotatably index the first mounting body 112 to the second mounting body 113. In this embodiment, the detent mechanism 16 allows the rotatable face shield apparatus 1 to adjust and lock into a set rotational position. More specifically, the detent mechanism 16 comprises a plurality of ribs 161 and a plurality of bumps 162. the plurality of ribs 161 is distributed along the first mounting body 112. The plurality of bumps 162 is distributed along the second mounting body 113. The plurality of ribs 161 is operatively engaged to the plurality of bumps 162, where the detent mechanism 16 is configured to rotatably index the first mounting body 112 to the second mounting body 113.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the face shield apparatus 1 further comprises a sealing element 17, as shown in FIGS. 9-10. The first shield portion 12 comprises an upper end 121 and a seal channel 122. The second shield portion 14 comprises a seal receiver 141. The upper end 121 and the seal channel 122 are terminally positioned opposite to each other along the first shield portion 12. The sealing element 17 traverses along the seal receiver 141, where the sealing element 17 is configured to engage the seal channel 122 to create an airtight seal between the first shield portion 12 and the second shield portion 14.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the headband 11 further comprises at least one mounting panel 117 and a fastening clip 119, as shown in FIGS. 1-6 and 8-9. The at least one mounting panel 117 is terminally connected to the first mounting body 112. The first shield portion 12 is connected adjacent to the first mounting body 112. The first shield portion 12 is delineated along the at least one mounting panel 117. The second shield portion 14 is slidably connected to the at least one mounting panel 117, where the second shield portion 14 is configured to slide over the first shield portion 12, assuming a halve configuration, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5. The second shield portion 14 is removably attached to the first mounting body 113 through a fastening clip 119, allowing the second shield portion 14 to slide up along the at least one mounting panel 117 and be secured along the fastening clip 119 in a halved configuration, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5. Each of the at least one mounting panel 117 comprises a panel base 118. The panel base 118 is positioned adjacent to the at least one mounting panel 117, opposite to the first mounting body 112, where the panel base 118 is configured to secure the second shield portion 14 to the first shield portion 12 in a whole configuration.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A face shield apparatus comprising: a headband; a first shield portion; a second shield portion; a connection element; the first shield portion being connected adjacent to the headband; and the second shield portion being connected adjacent to the first shield portion, opposite to the headhand through a connection element.
 2. The face shield apparatus as claimed in claim 1 comprising: the headband comprising a strap, a first mounting body, at least one mounting element, and a second mounting body; the second mounting body comprising a first end and a second end; the first end and the second end being terminally positioned opposite to each other along the second mounting body; the first shield portion being connected adjacent to the first mounting body; the first mounting body being connected adjacent to the second mounting body through the at least one mounting element; and the strap being connected to the first end and the second end.
 3. The face shield apparatus as claimed in claim 1 comprising: the headband comprising a cushion; and the cushion traversing along the headband, opposite to the first shield portion.
 4. The face shield apparatus as claimed in claim 2 comprising: the headband comprising a cushion; and the cushion traversing from the first end to the second end.
 5. The face shield apparatus as claimed in claim 2 comprising: the first mounting body being rotatably connected adjacent to the second mounting body through the at least one mounting element.
 6. The face shield apparatus as claimed in claim 5 comprising: a detent mechanism; the detent mechanism being positioned between the first mounting body and the second mounting body, wherein the detent mechanism is configured to rotatably index the first mounting body to the second mounting body.
 7. The face shield apparatus as claimed in claim 5 comprising: a detent mechanism; the detent mechanism comprising a plurality of ribs and a plurality of bumps; the plurality of ribs being distributed along the first mounting body; the plurality of bumps being distributed along the second mounting body; and the plurality of ribs being operatively engaged to the plurality of bumps, wherein the detent mechanism is configured to rotatably index the first mounting body to the second mounting body.
 8. The face shield apparatus as claimed in claim 1 comprising: a sealing element; the first shield portion comprising an upper end and a seal channel; the second shield portion comprising a seal receiver; the upper end and the seal channel being terminally positioned opposite to each other along the first shield portion; the sealing element traversing along the seal receiver, wherein the sealing element is configured to engage the seal channel to create a seal between the first shield portion and the second shield portion.
 9. The face shield apparatus as claimed in claim 1 comprising: the headband comprising a first mounting body, at least one mounting panel and a fastening clip; the at least one mounting panel being terminally connected to the first mounting body; the first shield portion being connected adjacent to the first mounting body; the first shield portion being delineated along the at least one mounting panel; the second shield portion being slidably connected to the at least one mounting panel, wherein the second shield is configured to slide over the first shield, assuming a halve configuration; and the second shield being removably attached to the first mounting body through a fastening clip.
 10. The face shield apparatus as claimed in claim 1 comprising: each of the at least one mounting panel comprising a panel base; the panel base being positioned adjacent to the at least one mounting panel, opposite to the first mounting body, wherein the panel base is configured to secure the second shield portion to the first shield portion in a whole configuration. 